Multiple drink mixing machine



Dec. 18, 1956 LE ROY A. BROWN ETAL 2, 7

MULTIPLE DRINK MIXING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25; 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a NVENTORS. a? Jafim ifl/zamazzaj e Dec. 18, 195 6 LE ROY A. BROWN ETAL 2,774,579

MULTIPLE DRINK MIXING MACHINE File d Feb. 25, 1954 a Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 18, 1956 LE ROY A. BROWN ETAL 2,774,579

MULTIPLE DRINK MIXING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TORS.

stand or column 13 is provided with a horizontal supporting member 14 of generally U-shaped cross section which is secured in any suitable manner as by welding or the like to provide a suitable horizontal support. In order that this support or shelf may have suflicient strength, there is also provided a shelf reinforcement member 16, best shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. This shelf reinforcement member is preferably provided at the ends thereof with L-shaped flanges 16a and 16b, whereby the shelf reinforcing member 16 is a sort of U-shaped memher with the bight of the U being welded or otherwise secured to the horizontal support or shelf 14 and the short legs of the U being disposed in a vertical plane with lateral extensions from these legs being disposed in a horizontal plane. The legs and lateral extensions are designated by the reference numerals 16a and 16b.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a motor supporting spider generally designated by the reference numeral 18, which spider is formed as a sheet metal stamping rather than a casting such as has been heretofore employed. This motor supporting spider preferably comprises a one-piece stamping having a sort of dish-shaped central portion 18a which is disposed in an inverted position and from which the major portion of the bottom of the dish has been removed so as to define a large central opening 19. Integrally connected to the lowermost portion of the inverted dish-shaped central section 18a of the sheet metal spider 18 is an annular flange 18b, which flange has a configuration best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. It has a rectangular section 180 for permitting ready attachment to the shelf reinforcement 16 already described and a plurality of spaced projections 18d around the periphery thereof which determine the location of the individual mixing units. Between the different projections 18d the flange 18b hasan arcuate configuration so that a sort of scalloped flange is provided, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

For the purpose of supporting the spider 18 in the position shown in the drawings, the rectangular projection 18c is suitably secured to the extensions 16a and 16b of the shelf reinforcement 16 as by fastening means 20. Preferably a pair of suitable soft rubber gaskets 21 are interposed between the ends of spider 18 and the portions 16a and 16b of the reinforcement 16 to prevent the vibrations from a suitable driving motor to be described hereinafter secured to the spider 18 from being transmitted to the supporting column 13and the base 11. It will be apparent that the spider 18 as described thus far has a sort of cantilever support, but there is also described hereinafter an additional support for the spider 18.

With the present invention any type and manufacture of motor which can be accommodated in the space provided can be supported from the spider 18 in a very simple manner. To this end there is secured to the inside vertical wall of the dish-shaped section 18a of the spider a plurality of motor mounting lugs 22, best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. These motor mounting lugs comprise a vertical portion 22a welded or otherwise secured to the spider 18 at any point on the periphery thereof, and a U-shaped portion 22b integrally secured to the vertical tion can be varied as desired depending upon the diameter of the circle positioning the through bolts associated with the motor. In the drawings a motor 23 is indicated as having through or stator bolts 24 which extend through openings in the motor mounting lugs 22 to which bolts suitable nuts 25 are secured. Preferably and to insure very accurate positioning of the motor 23, the openings in the mounting lugs 22 are tapped and the stator bolts 24 threaded therein, thus eliminating the nuts 25. It will be apparent, therefore, that with such a stamped spider 18 any motor can be accommodated merely by modifying the lugs 22 which are manufactured as a separate operation, and great advantages are obtained as contrasted with the cast type spider usable only with a particular motor. It will be apparent that with the motor 23 supported in the manner described the motor shaft generally designated by the reference numeral 26 will extend in a vertical direction and will actually protrude through the large opening 19 in the spider 18 with the motor disposed below this shaft 26, as viewed in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

To provide additional support and to completely enclose the motor and the lower portions of the mechanism drivingly related to the motor, there is provided what is commonly termed a top plate 28 and a skirt 29. The top plate 28 is of dish-shaped configuration having a circumferential extent somewht commensurate with that of the base 11. As illustrated, the top plate 28 is of generally circular configuration while the base 11 comprises a portion of an octagonal configuration. Obviously, any suitable shapes of top plate and base may be employed. This top plate 28 of dish-shaped configuration with the dishshaped construction in an upright position is provided with a central opening of sufliciently large diameter to accommodate the motor 23. The skirt 29, on the other hand, is disposed to surround the depending portion of the motor 23, and the upper edge of the skirt 29 engages the margin of the opening within the dish-shaped top plate 28 and is suitably secured thereto as by welding or the like. Thus, the skirt 29 and the top plate 28 are in effect a unitary structure which are so secured to the column 13 as to provide additional support for the spider 18. As illustrated, the back portion of the top plate 28 rests on top of the shelf reinforcement 16 and is suitably secured to the top of the column 13 as by screws 27 or the like. Moreover, the skirt 29 is provided with an inturned flange 29a, best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, so as to be secured to the vertical column 13 as by fastening means 15. It will be apparent, therefore, that the skirt 29 in efiect provides an effective shelf bracket for the top plate 28. To support the spider 18 from the top plate 28, a plurality of somewhat U-shaped spider supports 31 are secured as by welding or the like to the top plate 28 to engage with the spider 18 and support the same. Preferably suitable rubber washers, not shown, are interposed I of screws are provided which extend through the spider ly disposed portion 22a, which U-shaped portion includes 7 aud engage tapped openings in the U-shaped supports 31, thereby further supporting the spider 18 from the top plate 28. The top plate 28 is provided with a plurality of openings 34 to accommodate individual mixing units to be described hereinafter as well as cooperating adjacent openings 35 for accommodating certain control means associated with each mixing unit.

For the purpose of transmitting rotary motion produced by the motor 23, the motor shaft 26 has afiixed thereto a relatively large centrally disposed driving wheel indicated generally at 36 which is preferably formed of sheet metal and which may be similar or identical with the driving wheel disclosed in Prince et a1. Patent 2,619,332, referred to above. This driving wheel A 36 is secured to the shaft 26 in any suitable manner and is specifically illustrated as comprising a central hub construction with a means for'rea'dil-y"securing and releasing the same with respect to the shaft 26. The driving wheel 36 isprovided on its periphery with :a .rubber ra plurality of vanes .38 which upon rotation of the'motor shaft 26 cause a stream of air to flow and cool the housing and windings of the motor 23 :in a-conventionalmanner.

As is fully disclosed in the above-mentioned Prince et al. Patent 2,619,332, there are provided a plurality of mixing heads or spindle assemblies generally indicated at 40 disposed in spaced relationship around the periphcry .of the motor 23. Actually each mixing head 40 is associated with a difierent one of the openings 34 "in the top plate 28 and supported from a different one of the projections 18d of the spider 18. Each mixing unit com prises .a mixing spindle 41 provided with conventional agitator units designated as 42.

For the purpose of supporting-the respective spindle assemblies 40 around the periphery of the motor 23,'rthe spider has secured thereto at each of the projections'i18d one-f a plurality of supporting members 44. Also secured to "each of the spindle assemblies 40 are similar supporting members 45. These supportingmembers 44 and 45 are provided with somewhat circular end portions. The circular end portions/45a: of the member 45xare clearly visible in Fig. 2 of the drawings and the ends of member 44 are substantially identical. These circular end portions aresecured together with an interposed resilient rubber mounting member 46 thereby to prov-ide a resilient support or hinge, whereby the respective spindle assemblies 40 are effectively pivoted about this hinge in a manner identical with that described :in the above-mentioned Prince et al. patent, except that in the Prince et al. patent a resilient metal hinge is provided, whereas in the instant situation a hinge iarrangement using interspersed rubber discs '46 is provided.

To enclose the spindle assemblies 40. and friction wheel 36, a suitable top cover 47 is provided secured to the .top plate 28. As illustrated, the backzstand 13..is..provided with a recessed portion/t0 receive an offset oni-the cover 47. Preferably also the cover'is secured to the back stand 13 by fastening means such as screws, not

shown.

-For the purposeof further relating the' spindle assemblies 40 to the spider 18 theupper end of each spindle assembly 40 is provided with a 'clevis like extension'48 which is connected asby means of' a pivot pin 49 with a toggle comprising links 50 and 51, the knee of the toggle being defined by the pivot pin 52.- The other end of the toggle comprising links 50 and :51 is connected by a pivot pin 53 with an I-bolt 54. This I-bolt is effectively a lug which extends through a link .rest .55 andthrough a cooperating opening in thers'pidera1'8 'so that it maybe riveted as indicated at 6. Withthis arrangement it will be apparent that by movementof the pivot' pin 52 which-defines the knee of the toggle the I spindle assembly "46 maybe caused to describe a slight pivotal'movement-aboutthe hinge arrangement by which the-spindle assemblies 40 are secured'to the spider Although only a single spindle assembly 40 and is supporting means is' d'escrib ed in detail, it will be understood that as many such spindle assemblies as desired maybe mounted around the'periphery of the motor 23'. illustrated in Fig. 2 of-the drawings,,five such spindle assemblies 40 are provided and are disposed with. their lower ends extending into'the openings 34and the spindle shafts 41 depending downwardly in spaced relationship around the skirt 29. Preferably the skirt 29 and the top plate 28 are also formed of stainless. steel like the base 11 for providing. a nice appearing finish and a readily cleanable surface so that all sanitary requirements are met.

* it will be appreciated and as fully disclosed in Prince et al. Patent No."2;6l9,332 thatthe spindle assemblies 40 comprise a housing for supporting suitable bearings within which the mixing spindles 41 are journaled for rotation. Each of these mixing spindles has secured thereto a suitable friction wheel 60 which is preferably identical with that disclosed in Patent 2,619,332 and also disposed adjacent the bearings so that no undue bearing wear results. Each friction wheel 60 is "positioned in a manner to engage the friction drive wheel '36. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, when the toggle is in the normal straight position the friction drive wheels 60 are spaced from the friction rim 37 of the drive wheel -36,'-but, when the knee or pivot pin 52 of the toggle joint is displaced upwardly in a position off the center toggle position as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing the friction wheel 60 whose toggle joint is disturbed in "the .manner described is moved into driving engagement with the :friction wheel [36. It will be apparent that the friction wheel 36 will drive as many or as few of thespindle friction wheels-60 as are moved into driving engagement therewith. .In other words, all of the mixing spindles 40 can be simultaneously :driven or :as few as one may ibe driven by the motor 23.

For .the purpose of causing movement of the mixing spindle friction wheel 60 into engagement with the friction drive Wheel .36 in response to initiating a mixing operation, thereiis provided for each spindle assembly 40 a plunger 62 mounted for vertical movement within the which the mix is .to be served, aseparate mixing vessel of metal or other suitable material 'as'is commonly used in such applications, or it may comprise a paper mixing cup such-as indicated at 63 with a metal sleeve 64 which may be temporarily attached thereto in a manner-fully disclosed in Fredenhagen et al. Patent No. 2,628,082. The cupf63 and the sleeve 64 may together he considered the mixing vessel and the .portion62a of the plunger-'62 is adapted to receive as .is clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the rim of the mixing vessel which rim'i's-desighated by thefreference numeral 64a. As illustrated: in the drawings the plunger 62 is provided with a portion 62b of reducedcross section so as to define a shoulder 65 thereon. Resting on the shoulder 65 in accordance with the present invention is al-if-ter 66 which includes the necessary opening to permit the reduced portion 62b of the plunger 62 to pass therethrough. The lifter 66 has apa'ir o'f laterally extendingfingers with depending ends 6621' whichengage with a flattened surface 622' of the plunger 62 so that the lifter 66 remains in a predetermined position; The lifter 66 is held in position by'means of a coil" spring 70 concentric with the reduced section 62b of the plunger 62 and the upper end of the plunger 62is provided with an elongated slot 71. which isconnected'to the knee of the toggle comprising the links '50 and;51,: o r' in other words, is connected to the pivot pin 52. I elongated slot 71 provides a. lost motion connection-fso that a predetermined upward movement of the plunger'j'tl can beoccasioned before. the knee of the toggle link is moved from the position shown in Fig; 3 t'othe position shown inFig. 4, and also for the purpose of accommodating slight variations in the overall length of the mixing vessels. Italso provides sufiicient movement to insure actuation of a switch described hereinafter.

In order to make 'surethat the rim 64a of the mixing vessel does not move between the skirt 29 and the particular plunger 62 being actuated, the skirt 29 in accordance plunger portion 62a is so defined that a portion thereof is disposed within the indentation 75 thereby making sure that it is impossible to push the edge of the mixing vessel between the plungers 62 and the skirt 29.

To support the mixing vessel in the mixing position shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, a plurality of cup rests generally designated at 76 are provided. These cup rests are best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. As illustrated, each cup rest comprises a securing flange 76a having suitably secured thereto a somewhat U-shaped cup support 76b. This cup support 76b has one leg secured to the flange 76a with the bight of the U projecting from the securing flange 76a and the other leg of the U defining a sort of angularly disposed lip to prevent the cup from slipping off the cup rest 76 when once positioned thereon as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

Suitable means 77 are provided to secure the cup rests 76 to the skirt 29. It will be apparent that the operator in associating a mixing vessel with a particular mixing spindle 40 merely moves the mixing vessel into a position so that the mixing spindle 41 moves into the vessel and the rim 64a of the mixing vessel engages the plunger 62 as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. The plunger is then moved upwardly by engagement with the mixing vessel until the lower end of the mixing vessel rests on the cup rest 76. Due to the indentation 75 it is impossible to slip the mixing vessel between the skirt 29 and the plunger 62.

For the purpose of controlling the energization of the motor, a suitable switch 79 is provided which is indicated as being supported by the portion 180 of the spider 18 in any suitable manner. It will be appreciated that a suitable power cord is connected to the motor 23 through the switch 79 so that unless the switch 79 is closed power cannot be supplied to the motor.

In order automatically to energize the motor whenever a mixing vessel is associated with any spindle assembly such as 40, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a mechanism for actuating the switch 79 in response to the upward movement of any one or all of the plungers 62. To this end there is provided a lever 80 in the form of a ring which is not quite a complete circle and which at the discontinuous portion thereof is provided with a plurality of extensions 80a and 80b which is suitably pivoted as indicated at 81 to a supporting member 82 secured to the spider 18 in any suitable manner. The supporting member 82 preferably also suitably supports the switch 79. Also secured to the lever 80 is a switch actuating member 83 adapted to engage the switch 79 in any suitable manner so that upon slight pivotal movement of the lever 80 the switch 79 is actuated. The lever 80 i mounted so that the circular portion thereof loosely encircles the dish-shaped central portion 18a of the spider 18 and is disposed immediately above the individual lifters 66 associated with each plunger 62. It will be apparent that when any plunger 62 is moved upwardly the coopcrating lifter 66 likewise is moved upwardly to engage the lever 80 and hence close the switch 79. A suitable spring 84 illustrated as a tension spring is associated with the switch'actuator 83 to bias'the lever 80 in a direction to maintain the switch 79 closed. Hence whenever all of the plungers 62 are in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the switch 79 will be open. However, the raising of any plunger 62 will automatically (close the switch 79. With this arrangement it will be apparent that the operator can have mixing vesel in each hand and need never first turn on the motor 23 before the mixing operations can occur. In this way the operator is free to position the mixing vessels on their supports and move them about to insure the proper mixing action without having to set one down to turn on a switch or the like, and when none of the mixing assemblies 40 is required to perform a mixing operation, the switch 79 is automatically opened and the motor 23 deenergized.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of the multispindle drink mixing machine of the present invention will readily be understood by those skilled in the art. It will, moreover, be appreciated that there has been provided an inexpensive motor supporting arrangement which can readily accommodate standard motors produced by various manufacturers with the same supporting means. Furthermore, there has been provided an improved control arrangement.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

'1. A multiple drink mixing machine comprising a support, a spider mounted on said support and including a circular center portion, a motor mounted on said spider, a master driving wheel driven by said motor, a plurality of mixing spindles mounted on said spider around said circular center portion, a plurality of spindle driving means, one associated with each of said spindles for selectively driving any one or more of said spindles from said master driving wheel, an energization circuit for said motor including a control switch, a switch actuating member in the form of an open ring pivotally mounted to said spider at the open end thereof and including means for operating said switch, said open ring including a circular section extending around said center portion, container actuated plungers one for each spindle for rendering the associated spindle, driving means effective to drive said associated spindle from said master driving wheel, said container actuated plungers being spaced around a circle having a diameter of the order of the diameter of said circular section, and means on each of said container actuated plungers for engaging a different part of said circular section for operating said switch actuating member to close said switch in response to operation of said container actuated plungers whereby said motor is ener- 'gized whenever said master driving wheel is in driving engagement with any one of said spindle driving means.

2. 'In a multiple drink mixing machine, the combination of a support, a motor mounted on said support, a master driving wheel driven by said motor, a plurality of mixing spindles mounted on said support each including a friction wheel, said mixing spindles being arranged in a circle around said master driving wheel, a plurality of spindle driving means, one associated with each of said spindles for selectively moving one or more of said friction wheels into driving engagement with said master driving wheel, an energization circuit for said motor including a control switch, a switch actuating member including a circular portion extending around a substantial portion of said circle for operating said switch, container actuated means one for each spindle for rendering the associated spindle driving means effective to drive said associated spindle from said master driving wheel, said container actuated means comprising a non rotatable rod havingan inwardly extending portion which is adapted to engage said circular portion of said switch actuating member to close said switch when said rod is actuated by a container to selectively move its respective friction wheel into driving engagement with said master driving wheel whereby said motor is energized whenever said master driving wheel is in driving engagement with anyone of said spindle driving means.

3. In a multiple drink mixing machine the combination of a support, a motor mounted on aid support, a master driving wheel driven by said motor, a plurality of mixing spindles mounted on said support, a plurality of spindle driving means one associated with each of said spindles for selectively driving any one or more of said spindles from said master driving wheel, an energization circuit for said motor including a control switch, a pivoted switch actuating ring for opera-ting said switch, vertically movable container actuated means one for each spindle for pivoting said ring and for simultaneously rendering the associated spindle driving means effective to drive said associated spindle from said master driving wheel, a depending skirt provided around said motor between said motor and said mixing spindles, said skirt having a plurality of recesses defined by deformations in said skirt one adjacent each spindle and each adapted to house only a portion of. the respective container actuated plunger, the operating portions of said actuating plungers being disposed 'without said recesses, whereby when a container is moved into mixing position operation of said container actuated means is assured.

4. In a multiple drink mixing machine, the combination of a plurality of mixing spindles, an electric motor for selectively driving said spindles, said motor having conventional stator bolts for holding said motor in assembled condition, the combination of a support for said electric motor comprising a stamped spider including a cylindrical center portion and a flange extending from said center portion, motor supporting lugs each including a straight portion secured to the inside of said cylindrical center portion and a U-shaped portion, each U-shaped portion including an opening in one leg thereof for receiving one end of one of said stator bolts of said motor thereby to support said motor from said spider, said lugs being positioned on said circular portion in dependence upon the relative positions of said stator bolts and said openings being positioned in accordance with the diameter of a circle upon which said stator bolts are located whereby a wide variety of motors may readily be supported from said spider.

5. A multiple drink mixing machine comprising a plurality of mixing spindles, an electric motor for selectively driving said spindles, said motor having conventional stator bolts for holding said motor in assembled condition, the combination of a support for said electric motor comprising a stamped spider including a cylindrical center portion and a flange extending from said center portion, means for supporting said mixing spindles from said flange in spaced relationship around said center portion, motor supporting lugs each including a straight portion secured to the inside of said cylindrical center portion and a U-shaped portion, said U-shaped portions including an opening in one leg thereof for receiving one end of one of said stator bolts of said motor thereby to support said motor from said spider, said lugs being positioned on said circular portion in dependence upon the relative positions of said stator bolts and said openings being positioned in accordance with the diameter of a circle upon which said stator bolts are located whereby a wide variety of motors may readily be supported from said spider.

6. The drink mixing machine of claim 5 comprising an energization circuit for said motor including a control switch, and a circular switch actuating member pivotally supported on said spider and encircling said cylindrical center portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 11,714,865 Gentile May 28, 1929 2,218,808 Brotheridge Oct. 22, 1940 2,477,764 Myers Aug. 2, 1949 2,531,989 Prince et al Nov. 28, 1950 2,585,822 Myers Feb. 12, 1952 2,619,332 Prince et .al. Nov. 25, 1952 

